Blizzard Forums Make Real Names Mandatory

[John Funk]

It's a very interesting move, and one I feel conflicted on because I can see both positives and negatives in it. At the very least, it's an intriguing experiment.

I can't say more, though, because I want to write my column about it for Monday.

 

[commasplice]

I've said it before, and I will say it again:

WORST IDEA EVER!

Anonymity is necessary in the cesspool that is the interwebz.

First and last names are a powerful things, and if you know what someone's full name is, what city they live in, and what state/county/country/province... Well, bad people can do bad things with that kind of info.

Fun story: my mom's ex-boyfriend from high school managed to find her 20 years after they lost contact, thanks to Google and the fact that her contact info was listed on her job's website. Doesn't sound so bad until you learn that this is a guy who, shortly after she broke up with him, chased her down and asked her if she ever loved him. She told him to grow up, so he slapped her hard enough to knock her down, then circled the block in his car, screaming things like "*****" and "Whore" each time he came around.

I can't say more, though, because I want to write my column about it for Monday.

*Checks date on computer*
:|
Not cool, man. Not cool.

 

[sovietkitty101]

What happens when more than one person has the same name?

 

[Jared]

Its a nice though, and, would be epic if it worked...but, unfortunatly, I doubt its going to make anyone any less of an idiot

 

[ANeM]

Has anyone even considered the fact that is very easy to use a false name on the internet?

Just sayin'

Because you can not change the name attached to a battle net account without proof of a legal change of name (It does not use the name on the credit card attached to the wow account, as battle.net accounts can exist seperate from WoW) and it has been a long standing policy, even prior to the battle.net changes that if a player can not provide proof of their identity blizzard will not restore access to a compromised account.

So, at the time of the battle.net transition, before all of this Real-ID stuff it was VERY important that we made sure we had the correct real names in place because without a proper real name if anything happens to your account it is gone. Forever.

So, not knowing they'd want to actually give it out to other players, we gave them our names in exchange for some peace of mind, because we never thought this would happen.

I can't say more, though, because I want to write my column about it for Monday.

Thank you John. While I doubt you'll rip into it as much as I'd love to see happen (I want to see BLOOD) I appreciate that someone in the gaming press is actually spending some time with this story.

I expected at least one of the major blogs to go with this as a headline story, but that didn't happen. It seems stuff like another white playstation and some guy wishing he could make a sequel to a popular game he did not make are more noteworthy.

However, if you need someone to be outraged for your column, I'd be glad to help.. Just don't ask for my name

 

[SenseOfTumour]

I'm a bit lost as to how this improves things from before?

Surely if you're enough of a tit to get banned, you're banned and you're using your character's name, too, so people can call you a dick for your actions in game.

I really don't see why this extra step had to be taken, even tho I like the REAL ID thing in WOW, as it means my trusted friends and officers in game can see me and contact me when I'm on alts and other servers, and I can see them.

 

[commasplice]

Has anyone even considered the fact that is very easy to use a false name on the internet?

Just sayin'

Because you can not change the name attached to a battle net account without proof of a legal change of name (It does not use the name on the credit card attached to the wow account, as battle.net accounts can exist seperate from WoW) and it has been a long standing policy, even prior to the battle.net changes that if a player can not provide proof of their identity blizzard will not restore access to a compromised account.

So, at the time of the battle.net transition, before all of this Real-ID stuff it was VERY important that we made sure we had the correct real names in place because without a proper real name if anything happens to your account it is gone. Forever.

So, not knowing they'd want to actually give it out to other players, we gave them our names in exchange for some peace of mind, because we never thought this would happen.

Huh. I didn't know any of that. Someone should go look up their privacy policy to see what it says about them handing out your name to everyone on the internet. Sounds like this could easily result in a lawsuit, to me.

 

[commasplice]

Lol, I just went and checked what I had marked down as my "real name" for my B.Net account. "Richard Uht." AKA Dick B. Uht. I am so clever.

 

[ANeM]

Huh. I didn't know any of that. Someone should go look up their privacy policy to see what it says about them handing out your name to everyone on the internet. Sounds like this could easily result in a lawsuit, to me.

Technically though.. the way they have structured all of this, they are not giving it out, per say. They will not be updating all current posts to have our real names on it, rather they will be locking down and replacing the current forums with a new set of forums. In the terms of use for the new set of forums they will basically say "In posting on these forums you agree to let us show your name to everyone." and if you post, well, you've agreed to it. Now you've shown your name to everyone.

The problem is you can't opt to choose a fake name, because when you had the option to use one they told you "you'll be sorry!" So members of the community are stuck choosing between the community and their own privacy.. and, well, its a dick move.

Regardless of what anyone says, the forums, the realm forums in particular, are a integral part of the gaming experience for a lot of players. Not only is it nice to be able to connect with the people you're playing with in a less demanding environment but it also provides a central place for organizing trades or raiding pick-up-groups or player run events / contests, and you really cant do any of that stuff in the new system without someone standing up and saying "Yeah, my fullname is X and my character is Y"

As I tried to say in my first post, and certainly I've only gotten less coherent as its gotten later, the problem isn't that they're trying to give out everyones real name to everyone else. They are not.

The problem is that they're forcing their customers to choose between handing out their own names to everyone else or leave a community that they have a lot invested in.

They are saying you can have your online friends or your privacy, but you can not have both.

 

[Slycne]

I actually think this has little to do with cracking down on their forums. Blizzard has a massive fan base and is actively trying to tie all their games and communities together into a single experience.

I think Blizzard is trying to create a social networking space from all their pieces. There is a lot of money to be had if they can leech people away from Facebook, Myspace, etc.

 

[commasplice]

Huh. I didn't know any of that. Someone should go look up their privacy policy to see what it says about them handing out your name to everyone on the internet. Sounds like this could easily result in a lawsuit, to me.

Technically though.. the way they have structured all of this, they are not giving it out, per say. They will not be updating all current posts to have our real names on it, rather they will be locking down and replacing the current forums with a new set of forums. In the terms of use for the new set of forums they will basically say "In posting on these forums you agree to let us show your name to everyone." and if you post, well, you've agreed to it. Now you've shown your name to everyone.

Aaaah, sneaky, sneaky. They can't be accused of having changed the contract without the consent of both parties if they're using a whole new contract to begin with. Jerks.

I actually think this has little to do with cracking down on their forums. Blizzard has a massive fan base and is actively trying to tie all their games and communities together into a single experience.

I think Blizzard is trying to create a social networking space from all their pieces. There is a lot of money to be had if they can leech people away from Facebook, Myspace, etc.

Very astute. I thought the same thing when I read the original post on the B.Net forums: "With the launch of the new Battle.net, it's important to us to create a new and different kind of online gaming environment -- one that's highly social, and which provides an ideal place for gamers to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships. All of our design decisions surrounding Real ID -- including these forum changes -- have been made with this goal in mind."

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Damn that is fucking dumb. I would name myself Joe Fakename, and get all pissed when they don't believe it.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

I think that Ctrl Alt Deletes comic pretty much sums it up perfectly.

OT: Ctrl+Alt+Del ftw!

I really doubt this will have any impact on us. I mean a good chunk of us are already willing to sacrifice our identity (facebokok). Though I can't really talk because I made this Escapist account with my facebook account so....

Trolls will always be trolls.

 

[squid5580]

Here's what I wonder about this policy. How do they ensure that you use your real name, and not a made up one? I don't think they can.

I was thinking that too, but I get the idea behind it and I guess that it's nice that they are trying to get rid of trolls instead of letting them fester.

Still, I don't see many people stopping the trolling with this new system, just a large amount of people suddenly called tits mcgee.

You know there is an easier and faster way of dealing with trolls. And it is way more effective. It's called banning them. That is how you keep a forum from turning into a cesspool. You moderate it. You don't force your members to open themselves up to cyberbullying/stalking or even ID theft if they still want to remain members. ANd don't give me that oh it is just my name because hey with a bit of know how bam I also got your IP address. Which gives me your general location. And oh look 411 + name + location = phone number. And a quick reverse look up gives me your address.

Someone has already posted a mod's full name, address, phone number and facebook account on thier forums. All that was missing was the google map co ordinates.

 

[Treblaine]

There are real names everywhere on the internet. People use their real names on blog posts and comments, Amazon reviews, personal webpages, etc. Why aren't these people being harassed/bullied/stalked ?

It may be POSSIBLE to use your real name in those examples but you ARE NOT FORCED to divulge your real name!!!

You can run a website anonymously, blogs and comments can be anonymous. And yes even with fake names many are stalked, harassed and bullied but at least they have a barrier of anonymity. Do you not understand the concept of identity? YOU ONLY HAVE ONE REAL IDENTITY!! Once that is compromised you are in a world of shit.

(I only use facebook for old friends to get in touch with me again, just my name and a pic... NO LINKS TO ANY OTHER ACTIVITY!)

 

[Nazulu]

I do believe this idea really sucks because I love user names and not everyone is going to put their real name so trolls will still take advantage of that, won't change a thing. Why don't they just learn to keep it clean like the Escapist forums (oh yeah, kissing ass).

 

[Loonerinoes]

Not sure if anyone linked this here yet, but a very good article on it all was written:

http://hellmode.com/2010/07/06/why-real-id-is-a-really-bad-idea/

 

[Treblaine]

So yeah, my real name is John Doe, I live in Germany and I am 1 meter 75, I weigh 65 kilograms, my mother's name is Stephanie, my dad's name is Ray and my ass is itchy. And you all are insufferable pricks who need to die in a car wreck.

Now then, come and find me.

((<3 u all, was just demonstrating how there's no real way of knowing it is that person who is posting or if that person even exist ...)

for the last time, it is linked to your credit card when you create an account. To give ANY false information is a criminal offence on par with credit-card fraud that could not only leave you fined but you may never be able to get any sort of loan, cash card or mortgage for the rest of your life.

This is hugely invasive of Activision-Blizzard, people give their personal details to them in good faith that they are only for transactions... now they have changed the deal and say it must be public.

Oh, sorry, I'm use gamecards ... No need to input credit card. If they need it, too bad, not everyone has a credit card. Me included.

You still need to give SOME SORT of verifiable banking information, debit-card, cash-card, link to Paypal. Something like that. They WILL get your name and the only way to give a fake one is to break the law.

 

[JIst00]

Over 1070 pages of complaints on the WoW NA forums so far, not one single blue post in reply. Not that they ever bother to reply to things as big as this.

Best quote I can pick out from the masses of replies was this;

Q u o t e:
When they offered race changes, some rose up and said, "This is a harbinger of things to come!"
I laughed. Silly, I thought.

When they offered faction changes, some rose up and said, "This is a harbinger of things to come!"
I laughed. Ridiculous, I thought.

When they offered pets and ponies in the store, some rose up and said, "This is a harbinger of things to come!"
I laughed. Optional, I spouted.

When they offered ReadID, many rose up and said, "This is a harbinger of things to come!"
I laughed. Uneasily, I laughed.

When they forced forum names on us, we all rose up and said, "Enough!"

I hung my head. I, and many like me, enabled this day to happen. I am so very, very ashamed.